Judge delays man's trial for murder

The trial for a man accused in the strangulation and beating death last year of a South Toledo woman has been delayed until November.

Gregory M. Hicks, 36, was scheduled to go on trial yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas court for the murder of Mary Lou Reilly. He could be sentenced to death is convicted.

But, Hicks, of 2750 Monroe St., told the court last week he was dissatisfied with the representation of Mark Berling, an attorney appointed to his case.

Judge Patrick Foley yesterday appointed John Thebes to replace Mr. Berling. Mr. Thebes will be assisted by attorney Myron Duhart, who has been on the case since Mr. Hicks was arraigned in April, 2002.

Hicks is charged with aggravated murder and aggravated robbery. Ms. Reilly was found March 30, 2002, on the porch of her Walbridge Avenue house in South Toledo. She was 61.

She was getting ready to go shopping with her mother and stopped to change the outfit on a decorative concrete goose on her front porch when she was attacked. Police said a purse was missing from her home.